Selectmen tap surplus to offset higher expenses

Tuesday

The Gilford Board of Selectmen has approved the budget transfer of $167,000 in surplus funds to areas that were either underfunded or unanticipated for 2008.

The town's budget was in the black with close to $300,000, enabling the transfer of funds to the deficient accounts.

The major deficits this year came from unanticipated legal expenses of $70,000, under-budgeted wages for the fire department of $16,000 and high fuel/winter maintenance costs for the town at $35,000. The surplus funds from personnel benefits ($129,000) and road construction ($38,000) will balance the year-end budget.

Town Administrator Scott Dunn approached the board to approve the 2008 budget encumbrances that will be held over until next year's budget. The major item that will be set aside until next year's budget was an ambulance costing $146,000, which was part of the capital improvement plan. The total of $157,024 will have to be spent next year for the town to stay on track with its CIP.

The board has given its support to the initial collective bargaining agreement for the Gilford Department of Public Works' union.

"We've concluded the negotiations and they went very well," Dunn said.

The town of Gilford will be paying $30,593 to fund the contract if the proposal is approved during Town Meeting in March. This will be the first group of town employees that have moved to pay for 10 percent of their health insurance. The town plans to implement the 10 percent increase with all the town employees in the coming years. The town will be saving around $11,500 for increasing the total cost of health insurance for its employees.

Selectmen agreed on making changes to the personnel policies for town employees. No changes have been made since 2005 and the board concurred that the policies should be updated and adjusted to current laws. Major policies altered included health care payments and insuring raises will be based on performance. The new personnel policies will take effect Thursday.

The selectmen's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

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